The Top Five Outpatient Prescription Drugs Ranked by Total Expense for Medicare Beneficiaries, by Insurance Status, 2004

Product type:

Statistical Brief 186

MEPS component:

Household Component

Publication date:

October 2, 2007

Description:

Using data from the Household Component of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, this Statistical Brief provides information on the top five outpatient prescription medicines ranked by total expenditures and insurance status for the Medicare population, as reported by households in the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized (community) population in calendar year 2004, as well as information on average total payments and average out-of-pocket payments per purchase for the top five drugs for Medicare beneficiaries, by insurance status. Only prescribed medicines purchases in an outpatient setting are included in the estimates. Insulin and diabetic supplies and equipment are included in MEPS prescribed medicines estimates. Over-the-counter medicines are excluded from these estimates as are prescription medicines administered in an inpatient setting or in a clinic or physician's office.